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Paper short abstract

This paper uses the Infiniwing gear technology as a case study from the Horizon Europe project Infinifish to show how STS contributes to fisheries research, demonstrating how social feasibility and trajectories of technologies shape research agendas and innovation pathways.

Paper long abstract

This paper draws on experiences from the Horizon Europe project Infinifish to critically examine the conditions under which the integration of STS within applied fisheries research can become more meaningful. Infinifish (2025-2029) brings together scientists, the fishing sector, technology developers, and policymakers to address sustainability challenges in European fisheries through new technologies and innovations. Against this backdrop, the paper foregrounds the “Infiniwing” gear technology as an example through which to explore how STS can contribute to collaborative, impact-oriented research.

Using a technology as an empirical anchor, the paper shows how social and technical innovations in fisheries are shaped not only by technical performance, but by social feasibility and technological trajectories. While Horizon Europe strongly promotes interdisciplinarity, STS contributions within large fisheries projects often remain marginal. The paper reflects on our aims within Infinifish to translating STS insights into forms that are actionable for policymakers, science, and technology developers without losing (too much) critical depth. By situating Infiniwing within its broader social, historical, and regulatory context, the paper argues that STS offers distinctive value in applied fisheries research.